A free mobile dental clinic for children ages 5 to 18 is parked at the Jefferson Branch Library in Pasadena, California, from July 13 to August 7, 2026, offering no-cost screenings, cleanings, and sealants on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The clinic is run by the nonprofit Young and Healthy in partnership with the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, a relationship that has connected Pasadena area kids to dental care for 31 years.
- 31 years: length of the partnership between Young and Healthy and the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC that operates the mobile dental clinic (Pasadena Weekly, July 2026)
- 350 volunteer doctors: approximate number who support Young and Healthy's programs, including the mobile dental clinic (Pasadena Weekly, July 2026)
- Over 150 children a year: served through the program's dental clinics for kids with the greatest needs, with care from two clinic sessions alone valued at 258,486 dollars (Young and Healthy, yhpasadena.org)
What is happening at Pasadena's Jefferson Branch Library this summer?
A free mobile dental clinic is operating out of the Jefferson Branch Library, at 1500 East Villa Street in Pasadena, from July 13 through August 7, 2026, Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The clinic is a partnership between the nonprofit Young and Healthy and the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, and it is timed to reach families before the new school year, when many districts require or recommend a current dental exam.
Who is eligible for the free dental care?
Youth ages 5 to 18 can be seen at the clinic at no cost, according to Pasadena Weekly's July 2026 coverage of the event. Families do not need to be existing Young and Healthy clients to request an appointment; they can call ahead or ask at the outreach table set up at the library. This mirrors the model families have seen at other free events this summer, such as the ones covered in Smile Listing's roundup of free back-to-school dental events opening across the country in summer 2026.
What dental services does the clinic provide, and what does it not cover?
The Jefferson Branch Library clinic provides free screenings, cleanings, and sealants for kids ages 5 to 18. It does not include procedures that require general anesthesia, so children with more complex needs are typically referred elsewhere for follow-up treatment. Some children who come through Young and Healthy's broader dental program need more than 30 hours of dental treatment to fully address their needs, which is why the organization treats the mobile clinic as a first step rather than a complete solution.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Jefferson Branch Library, 1500 East Villa Street, Pasadena, California |
| Dates | July 13 to August 7, 2026 |
| Hours | Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. |
| Ages served | 5 to 18 |
| Services | Screenings, cleanings, sealants |
| Cost | Free |
| Contact | 626-795-5166, or the outreach table at Jefferson Branch Library |
Why does this program matter for Pasadena area families?
Untreated dental problems keep kids out of class and make it harder to concentrate once they are there, which is the reason Young and Healthy leadership points to when explaining why the mobile clinic runs every summer. "If we can get those dental issues taken care of and they can participate in school, that's going to be better for them," said Shelley Boyle, co-executive director of Young and Healthy, in comments reported by Pasadena Weekly in July 2026. Sunny Sanaz Fereshteh, who directs the USC mobile clinic, made a similar point about who the program is designed to reach: "Mobile dentistry gives us the opportunity to reach children who are often overlooked and to provide care."
Young and Healthy has operated in the Pasadena area for 36 years, and the dental partnership with USC's dental school is now in its 31st year, according to the same Pasadena Weekly report. Outside the summer library clinic, the organization's broader dental program serves more than 150 children a year who have the greatest dental needs in the community, and two clinic sessions alone, in October 2023 and February 2024, delivered care valued at 258,486 dollars, according to figures Young and Healthy publishes on its own site.
How can families in the area register?
Families can call Young and Healthy directly at 626-795-5166 or visit the outreach table set up at Jefferson Branch Library during clinic hours to ask about an appointment. Because the clinic is staffed by a limited number of dental students and volunteer providers from USC's Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, families are encouraged to reach out as early in the July 13 to August 7 window as possible rather than waiting until the final days before school starts.
Where else can families find similar free dental care this summer?
Pasadena's library clinic is one of several free, community-based dental events reaching families before the 2026 to 2027 school year, alongside back-to-school health fairs in other cities that have added dental screenings to their usual vision and immunization stations. For families who need an ongoing dental home once school starts, licensed pediatric practices such as Sola Kids Dental & Orthodontics in Los Angeles are among the providers in the wider Los Angeles area that families can turn to for regular checkups after a free screening flags a concern.
"If we can get those dental issues taken care of and they can participate in school, that's going to be better for them." — Shelley Boyle, co-executive director, Young and Healthy
Frequently asked questions
Is an appointment required for the Pasadena mobile dental clinic?
Families are encouraged to call 626-795-5166 or check with the outreach table at Jefferson Branch Library, since slots are limited and staffed by a rotating group of USC dental volunteers.
Does the clinic treat cavities or only do screenings?
The clinic offers screenings, cleanings, and sealants. It does not perform procedures requiring general anesthesia; children who need more extensive treatment are referred for follow-up care.
Is there an income or insurance requirement to be seen?
Pasadena Weekly's July 2026 coverage of this clinic describes it as free and open to youth ages 5 to 18, without listing an income test for this specific session.
How long has this program been running?
Young and Healthy has served the Pasadena community for 36 years, and its dental partnership with the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC is in its 31st year, per Pasadena Weekly.
Updated July 2026.
